What do you film your planes with.

[thewrap]

I'm in the market for a new video camera. The one I have know is borrowed from my Mom's work and it doeesn't film very well when the planes are in the sky. Just wondering what do you guys have good luck filming with.

[Neogenesis]

Be sure to stick with the mini DV cams. A lot of times the processors in the DVD cams the processors can't keep up with the compression and in their efforts to keep frame rate up, they start degrading picture quality.

Neo

[thewrap]

Okay, well right know I have a Sony hanycam I like how it functions just the picture isn't all that great.

[Edge 540]

One thing I learned is that sometimes its not the camera, its your computer (sorta). I filmed some flying and then downloaded it with windows movie maker. It was terrible quality even at the "highest (recommended)" setting. I was ready to just say forget it because it wasn't worth posting. Then we downloaded it with pinnacle software on my friends computer and it was like night and day. The resolution was tripled. You'd never guess that the videos came from the same camera!
Before you give up on the camera try a different software package. Pinnacle costs about $100 though.

[thewrap]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Edge 540
	One thing I learned is that sometimes its not the camera, its your computer (sorta). I filmed some flying and then downloaded it with windows movie maker. It was terrible quality even at the "highest (recommended)" setting. I was ready to just say forget it because it wasn't worth posting. Then we downloaded it with pinnacle software on my friends computer and it was like night and day. The resolution was tripled. You'd never guess that the videos came from the same camera! Before you give up on the camera try a different software package. Pinnacle costs about $100 though.

Okay well first I haven't made the film on the computer. The only place I've seen it is on the camera and the TV. Which it doesn't look any better. So that's why I'm looking for a new camera.

[Neogenesis]

be sure to get a 3 CCD camera....."I believe that is what it's called, I'm pulling it off the top of my head"...that alone makes a world of difference. I shot video at the Mustangs and Legends Airshow this fall with a fairly inexpensive 3 CCD camera this fall and was blown away by the quality. I can't tell you the make or model....it's now been delieverd to the dept that actually bought it, but there is enough information on the web to easily do some research to figure out which one is best for you.


Neo

[thewrap]

Okay. I'll try and get some answers when I actually get out shopping for one. I don't think it'll be this weekend, I'm supposed to be building shelves so I can walk into my workshop again.

[Edge 540]

Go to a store and try them out in person. Nothing can replace in-hands testing. You cant beat online prices though. I HIGHLY recommend newegg.com.

[thewrap]

I'll try that.

[GmanBill]

I use one of these now
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId=11038608

[thewrap]

Yeah I would but that is just a little above what I'm willing to pay. But I would bet that it takes great video.

[Edge 540]

Just a little!? I'd need a loan.

[thewrap]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Edge 540
	Just a little!? I'd need a loan.

Yeah and about 2 jobs for me.

[GmanBill]

Yeah it ain't cheap, but you get what you pay for and it is so nice and easy to fallow planes with it, the smaller ones get a bit jittery and are harder to keep up with the object if you have to zoom in a bit.

[Edge 540]

That is a good point. I get better results sometimes with our 19 yr old HUGE sholder mounted VHS camera because it is just plain easier to operate.